JACKSON, THOMAS JONATHAN American general, commonly known as "Stonewall Jackson," was born at Clarksburg, Virginia (now West Virginia), on Jan. 21, 1824. His father died leaving his family almost penniless, and the son, called early to help in the support of his mother, had few opportunities for education, but by industry and application he obtained in 1842 a nomination to the United States military academy at West Point, from which in 5846 he received a com mission as second-lieutenant of artillery. Joining his regiment in Mexico, with which country the United States was then at war, he served there with distinction and was, after a few years of peace service, appointed, in 1851, professor of artillery tactics and natural philosophy at the Virginia military institute. At this in stitution he remained for ten years until, in April 1861, on the outbreak of the Civil War, he offered his services to his State and was ordered to bring his cadets to Richmond.
Jackson was appointed colonel of Virginia volunteers and sent to command at Harper's Ferry, the northern outpost of the Shenandoah valley which was to be the scene of his most famous exploits. When, in July 1861, the first Federal invasion of Vir ginia began he was in command of the 1st Brigade of Johnston's force in the valley, which moved thence to unite on the field of Bull Run with Beauregard's command, in time to meet the ad vance of the Federal army under McDowell. The impetuosity of the first Federal attack brought some confusion into the Con federate ranks, and in a crisis of the battle a neighbouring briga dier, Gen. Bee, rode up to Jackson with the cry "General, they are beating us back." "Then, sir," came the quick reply, "we will give them the bayonet." Encouraged by this answer Bee galloped back to his men shouting, "Look, there is Jackson stand ing like a stone wall. Rally behind the Virginians." The Federal attack was utterly repulsed, the nickname Stonewall rang through Virginia and was thenceforth and forever attached to Jackson's name.
A long pause followed the first battle of Bull Run, while the North, aroused to the extent of its task, was preparing an ade quate army. In the first months of 1862 that army under the command of McClellan was ready for action. Jackson was then in command of a small force in the Shenandoah valley. Unknown to the Confederates McClellan was preparing to move his main army by sea to the Yorktown peninsula, in order to attack the Confederate capital, Richmond. Some of the Federal troops in the valley were ordered to join McClellan for this movement, and Jackson, learning of these withdrawals, believed he could strike an effective blow at Winchester, and advanced with barely 3,00o men. He had been misinformed of the Federal strength,
and was met on March 23, at Kernstown, with 7,000 men. He was repulsed, but his bold manoeuvre caused his strength to be exaggerated in Washington, and, a great part of McClellan's force being at sea, created a sense of alarm which greatly influenced future events.
In the third week of April McClellan had completed his land ing and was opposed in the Yorktown peninsula by an army of less than half the Federal strength. Three other Federal armies were converging on Richmond, from the north and west, watched by Confederate detachments, each much weaker than its op ponents. In this crisis Robert E. Lee, who had been called to Richmond to be chief military adviser to the Confederate presi dent, saw that the only hope of saving Richmond lay in keep ing the converging Federals at a distance, and it was to Jackson he turned. On April 21 he wrote suggesting he should unite the Confederate detachments to fall on Banks, who commanded the Federal forces in the valley. Jackson needed but a hint, but be fore Banks could be struck with safety it was necessary to check the advance of the Federal troops from the west, which would threaten Jackson's rear and communications. Therefore on May 8 he drove them back into the mountains of western Virginia, and turned with 17,000 on Banks, whose force, weakened by the withdrawals, was some io,000 strong.
In mid-May McClellan was in sight of the spires of Richmond, and the general expectation in the North was that the war would soon be over. Suddenly, on May 23, Jackson, while feint ing at Strasburg, advanced down the North Fork and over whelmed Kenly. Banks retreating was caught up ten days later, defeated at Winchester, and driven back on the Potomac. At once there was alarm and confusion at Washington, the rein forcements to McClellan were stopped, and President Abraham Lincoln himself intervened to protect Washington and direct the attempts to intercept Jackson. By rapid marching Jackson es caped to the southern end of the valley. Then striking right and left at his pursuers he drove back their advanced guards at Cross Keys on June 8, and at Port Republic next day. He left the valley having completely deranged the Federal campaign, for McClellan in front of Richmond being deprived of his expected reinforcements hesitated to attack. Thus Jackson's skill and cour age had enabled 17,500 men to neutralize the action of 175,00o.